Folding case or crate.



No. 693,98l. I Paten ted Feb. 25, I902.

A. McDONALD.

FOLDING CASE 0R CRATE.

(Application filed July 2, 1901.)

(No Model.)

' 2 Sheets-Shaet I.

LITHOH wnsnluswn n c UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER MCDONALD, OF ASHLEY, OHIO.

FOLDING CASE OR CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 693,981 dated February 25, 1902.

Application filed July 2, 1901 T0 ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER MCDON- ALD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ashley, in the county of Delaware and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Cases or Crates; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact'description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in cases or crates for shipping eggs, fruits, or vegetables.

The object of the invention-is to provide a case or crate which is simple, strong, and durable in construction, comparatively inexpensive of production, and adapted to be folded in close compass for storage or shipment.

The invention consists of a case or crate embodying certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the case or crate as set up for use. Fig. 2 is a similar View of the same folded for storage or shipment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the several parts of the case or crate partially set up to adjust the crate for use. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the crate as set up for use. Figs.

5 and 6 are detail views showing the hinge connection of the end pieces. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views showing the connection between the side and end pieces. Figs. 9 and 10 are detail views of the catch and keeper.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 represents the top or cover of the case or crate; 2, the bottom; 3, the end pieces; 4, the sides, and 5 the central partition.

The top section 1 and bottom section 2 consist of shallow trays of a depth sufficient to form when directly connected together, as shown in Fig. 2, a box or receptacle deep enough to receive the sides, end pieces, and partition, so that when the case or crate is collapsed all the parts may be packed together in the safest possible way and to occupy the least possible space in storage or shipment.

The end pieces 3 are hinged at their lower ends to the end walls of the bottom section 2, so as to fold down to a horizontal position within said section. To this end each end piece is formed in its lower edge at the points Where it is hinged with a slot 6, which 're ceives an L-shaped or right-angular pin 7, whose ends are driven into the end and base walls of the bottom section 2 and which is engaged bya U-shaped metallic loop 8, secured to said end piece. hinged joint between the bottom section and end piece, whereby the latter is adapted to fold to a horizontal position and to be set up to a vertical position. The slot 6 allows the end piece to straddle the pin 7 and is of such length as to adapt the end piece to be moved back when turned down, so that the two end pieces may be adjusted to compensate for expansion and contraction and to fit accurately in alinement and not overlap.

The side pieces 4 are provided at their ends with metallic tongued strips 9, adapted to engage metallic grooved strips 10 on the end pieces, by which the side pieces may be engaged with and disengaged from the end pieces by a vertical sliding movement in setting up and collapsing the case or crate. Upon the inner faces of the side pieces at a central point are grooved metallic strips 1]., adapted to receive the side edges of the partition 5, by which the partition may also be connected with and disconnected from the side pieces by a vertical sliding movement.

On the outer face of each end piece and on each end wall of the bottom section are keepers 12 12, which are adapted to be engaged by catches 13 on the end walls of the cover.

Each catch 13 consists of a pair of hooks l4 15, mounted on acommon pivot 16 and adapt- This construction forms a ed to be moved in reverse directions to engage the keeper 12 or 12, thus making a secure connection.

In setting up the case or crate for use the end pieces 3 are turned up to a vertical position, the sides 4 then set up by engaging the hooked strips 9 with the groovedstrip 10 and sliding said sides downward, and the partition slid downward in engagement with the grooved strips 11. The crate is then adapted to receive theeggs, fruit, or vegetables to be stored or shipped, and the cover is then fit ted down and secured by engaging the catches 13 with the keepers 12.

To fold or collapse the crate, the cover is removed, the partition 5 and side pieces 4 are disengaged by sliding them upwardly, the end pieces turned down within the tray-like bottom section, the side pieces and partition rested thereon, and the top section 1 fitted down upon the bottom section to form a box therewith to inclose said partition, side, and end pieces and secured by engaging the catches 13 with the keepers 12. a

It will thus be seen that the invention provides a case or crate which is simple, strong, and durable in construction and adapted to be folded in close compass for storage or shipment.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- A folding crate or case comprising shallow tray-like top and bottom sections, end pieces formed in their lower edges with slots, rightangled pins on the bottom section fitting in said slots, loops on the end pieces engaging said pins and hinging the end pieces thereto, the slots being of such length as to allow the end pieces when turned down to be adjusted to compensate for expansion and contraction and prevent overlapping, side pieces, tongueand-grooved strips upon the ends of the side and end pieces whereby said pieces are adapted to be connected and disconnected by an endwiso sliding movement, grooved metallic strips upon the inner faces of said side pieces, a partition adapted to be slidably fitted in said strips, and fastenings for connecting the top section with the end pieces and with said bottom section, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' ALEXANDER MCDONALD. Witnesses:

S. WoRNsTAFF, MILO FAUoETT. 

